There's no place like home -
I've heard that saying so many times....but as my flight from Budapest descended, and I saw the lights of Frankfurt below....it felt like home. Germany....home...how can that be? It's only been 11 weeks (but who's counting). As an Expat you are quickly immersed in a new culture....a new community and you realize that your home is where your family and children are.....no matter where that may be! There are certainly numerous differences....but when those wheels touch down.....you are home.
There was a funny thing that happened on my flight yesterday that made me realize that things are easily lost in translation, and it's not quite like home. I was lucky to be sitting in the front row of the Malev Airlines flight from Budapest.....although the bulkhead wasn't quite what I was expecting, as there was this green drape that separated economy and business class.....and every time the flight attendant would come down the aisle and open the green curtain....the velcrow would stick to my pant leg! When I sat down I said 'hello' to my 'row-mate' - he acknowledged and simply went back to reading. (Oh, and I did step on the toe of the passenger behind me - that was definitely not lost in translation) As we descended I asked where he was from...he simply replied "Germany" - Germans for the most part are private people.....but I wasn't really being annoying....(at least I didn't think so)! 'Everyone has a story, right'. He did loosen up a bit, and was quite pleasant. I found out that his connecting flight was delayed.....and he had a few hours to spare. I mentioned to him that he may need to get a coffee before he boards his next plane to stay awake......at that moment I got a peculiar look.....actually I think the color drained from his face....and he replied "Oh no, I don't need to get a coffee with you".....at that moment if there was a bubble above his head it would say, "I think she's coming onto me".......I guess I have to watch what I say.....but I chuckled to myself as he got on the complete opposite end of the shuttle bus that took that took us to the terminal. He probably was thinking I was some crazy American!
I spent the weekend in Budapest with a lovely group of ladies that invited me along. The Expat community is filled with such interesting women....and I find them to be accepting and welcoming - they've 'been there, done that' and we all share a similar story. We explored the city of Budapest.....and I found it to be an odd little place. When you arrive in some places you are embraced with a feeling of warmth.....I didn't get that in Budapest...it felt kind of sad to me....I thought the architecture was interesting....but I got this feeling that it's a country still trying to get on its feet....it's amazing to think that it was a communist country until 1989. That seems like yesterday.
The currency in Hungary is not so easy.....and with my math skills (heck I can't even handle Hannah's 7th grade math).
It was a little strange as I withdrew 25,000 from the ATM at the airport...yikes! I am just getting used to the Euro.....and all the coins! I did have a hard time paying 2000 for a silly little gnome.....but that ended up being only about 8 euro....thankfully someone has now introduced me to a 'conversion' app! Perfect! I do agree with the commercial that says, "there's an app for that".
Home is where the heart is...and all the to-do lists and chores that go along with it no matter where you are! Home sweet home!
